“This has been a long time coming and it is time to put pen to paper and get to work,” Conti said in a press release. “This project is a great addition to our highway system to provide much needed congestion relief.”

The contract signing comes after state officials sold the final set of bonds needed to finance the project last week. The joint company including Monroe based Boggs Paving, Anderson Columbia Company, United Infrastructure and design firm Rummel, Klepper and Kahl LLP will complete the final designs for the Bypass over the next six months. Right of way acquisition, title work and relocation planning for local businesses will begin immediately.

A community workshop and project kick off is set for Dec. 5 from 4 to 8pm at the Union County Agricultural Center, 3230-D Presson Road in Monroe.